Because the “binge” part is so visible, the underlying restriction can be easy to miss. But in reality, BED is often rooted in the same restrictive patterns that drive other eating disorders.

When most people picture someone with an eating disorder, they imagine a young, thin, white teenager. This stereotype isn’t just wrong — it’s harmful. It erases the reality that eating disorders can, and do, affect people in every body size, gender, race, and age group.

We learned that being agreeable kept the peace. That saying “yes” earned love, approval, or safety. That minimizing our needs kept relationships intact. Over time, it can start to feel like our worth depends on how well we meet everyone else’s expectations.

Midlife has a reputation for being a “crisis” — a time of unraveling, loss, or decline. But what if that’s not the full story?

What if midlife is actually an invitation — a threshold into deeper truth, power, and self-trust?

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of Riding Waves Counseling. I created this practice to offer a space where you can come home to yourself — your body, your values, your story — especially if that’s felt out of reach in traditional therapy spaces.